Please Help

[rebel100]

the TESC transfer policy is available above, they will allow you to use credit by exam instead of classes, but that won't affect overall GPA.

If your heart is set on other schools like FSU then I might look at a local CC or one of the schools suggested above and get started. NMJC does online very well as does CSU-P.

[tsimmns]

Thanks for all your help rebel. I would love a CS degree from FSU, but feel my GPA will never allow that. Since I will probably be working a Federal guard job I don't think the school matters, I just wonder how TESC is viewed especially since I live in the South. However like you said it is regionally accredited and I assume a degree from there is better than no degree at all right?

[Prloko]

So here is my dilemma, I'm currently 32 and desperately needing a degree. I went to the University of Mississippi straight out of high school and obtained about 80 credits along with obtaining a GPA of about 1.65. With them I can currently replace 4 classes that I had F's in with F's that I had in re-taking them to help raise my GPA to about 1.8. I would then need 2 A's and 2 B's according to the admissions guru there. My question is, I'm looking into going to TESC for a CS or CIS degree to help me get into IT with the Air National Guard as I currently am an Avionics person. I currently have a full time job that pays decently, around 55k a year but getting into IT would eventually get me a raise of around 15K a year. I didn't mention that my original major was in Business, but I mostly have just the undergrad stuff out of the way.

I guess my question is, is TESC a reputable school? I know there CS degree isn't ABET accredited, but I plan to get it, get a Bachelors also in Finance possibly and then maybe an MBA and a masters in CS. I read somewhere where someone on this forum had sons complete both programs the CIS and CS program at TESC. Could anyone else provide insight? I wouldn't mind the CS path as I'm pretty good at all types of math if that path would benefit me in the long run. I guess my only hang up is that I keep going back and forth wanting to attend PSU World Campus just for the name, but not the cost. Also, the fact that they only have semester classes makes me ill and I like the fact TESC offers classes that run all the time. I have a friend that was in the Army who was in IT, got a degree from AMU in CS and said he had some jobs look down on his degree with it being from there. I guess that's where I need someone to tell me basically that TESC is a better school that AMU or Columbia College and to go for it. Any thoughts or suggestions. I apologize in advance for all the rambling.

You can take your 80 credits above, get any degree at TESC by completing 40 credits including the capstone. You can do this in a few months. Afterwards, you can use your GI Bill and transfer to the Oregon State Second Bachelors in Computer Science. You can complete the program in one year. They require a previous bachelors. IF you have Post 9/11 GI Bill, it will cover the entire tuition since it is a state school. Its not ABET accredited, but the school has a good rep. TESC doesn't have a bad rep since it is a state school. Even though AMU is a good school, it tends to be looked down upon because it is one of the for-profits and people will judge them no matter how smart you are.

[tsimmns]

Proloko, i had thought about that. I think the CS degree from OSU would be more valued than one from TESC. I also see you have your CCAF and a degree from TESC. Do you mind if I ask where you are.located and if anyone ever questions your degree? Since most of my credits are from business I could probably like you said knock out a business degree from TESC very quickly. Also, I assume I could take classes there for the degree along with some lower level classes I still need from a Community College at the same time. I'm pretty sure you can be registered with two schools at the same time from what I remember.

[Prloko]

Proloko, i had thought about that. I think the CS degree from OSU would be more valued than one from TESC. I also see you have your CCAF and a degree from TESC. Do you mind if I ask where you are.located and if anyone ever questions your degree? Since most of my credits are from business I could probably like you said knock out a business degree from TESC very quickly. Also, I assume I could take classes there for the degree along with some lower level classes I still need from a Community College at the same time. I'm pretty sure you can be registered with two schools at the same time from what I remember.

I read your first post and replied. Had I read through your posts, I would have seen you already looked into OSU. Stupid on my part, but at least you received affirmation

I work in the DC area. I'm currently a Federal employee and as you know, as long as it's accredited, you qualify to apply. I also have received job offers in the private sector, but I turn them down because you can't beat Federal bennies and the pension. No has asked me DIRECTLY about my schooling, but I'm sure there was a snob or two somewhere the threw my app in the trash. But those folks would have thrown out a resume from Penn State also.

I make real good money. I recently applied and was accepted to a competitive MBA program, the TESC name and the fact I only have 30 graded credits didn't hurt me.

If you have experience, the degree matters much less. If you have no experience, the degree matters much more. If you are looking for ABET, Regis has an online CS degree that is ABET accredited. I looked into once, but I would have had to do an additional 70 credits. The OSU degree is attractive because all you need is a Bachelor's and College Algebra. All the mathematics is incorporated into the courses.

I always tell people to do a Linkedin Search of people with the degree you're looking for and see what they are doing. Most TESC students are former/active military and are doing well for themselves. Experience matters.

[tsimmns]

Proloko thanks for the advice. I imagine you did Active Duty and got out. As for me I am a Air Guard Technician Federal Employee that works Avionics. I am looking into getting the degree mainly to get into the COMM side and be able to move from the WG scale to the GS sce where the money is. I think the plan you mentioned is what I will be doing and hoping to finish with TESC by the end of the year so I can add that to my resume. I might have some further questions to ask you as far as the GI Bill goes. Did you use yours at TESC? I have thought about paying all that out of pocket and saving the rest for the CS degree. I'm not sure how much I will get or really how it works as the base here is messed up with little information especially since I'm in maintenance. Also, is your job rated to the Operations Management degree or more towards writing contracts which I assume was your AFSC while in the AF.

[UptonSinclair]

I have been following this thread and decided to throw out a little advice. Many here use alternative credits to complete their degrees, but for you this might not be the best option. Since your GPA is low, it might be worth a taking a little time and making sure you finish your degree with graded credits. There are plenty of self-paced options that would allow you to both complete the degree requirements at TESC and show a decent GPA for recent coursework. Every grade you get now is going to help show future schools that you are serious about your education. Good luck on your journey.

[tsimmns]

Uptown I agree. I think taking the classes and showing that I had a bad head on my shoulders at that point is the best thing. Since I left college in 2005 I have completed about another 12 hours and had A's and B's in those 4 classes attempted. Of course theast course I took was in 2009.

I also think TESC will be benefit in giving me military credit for some of my training allowing to potentially not need a few electives or such that I would have needed. I ateast feel now headed in the right track. Now it's just about deciding what Business degree to go with. Finance or something else from them.

Also, I looked into the local Community Colleges here in MS and they have what's called the Mississippi Virtual Community College where you can take online classes. Unfortunately I have missed the deadline but upcoming Summer Term, but can complete at least English II second summer term in 4 weeks starting June 29. I can't wait. Until the. I will send transcripts to TESC tomorrow along with application fee so hopefully I can get an evaluation from them to see what I will need and not need.

[UptonSinclair]

They should count all of your CCAF credits. Because of 59 CCAF credits, I have over 200 credits on my transcript.

[cookderosa]

Is this true? I just had my evaluation done by TESC, and all my credits transferred from my prior colleges transferred with their letter grades attached, and TESC has a GPA listed for me.

did you get your question answered? Rebel posted the policy. Yes it's true!